A Summer In France: Les Grands Buffets — A Spectacular Feast

Welcome to chapter 9, Summer In France: Les Grands Buffets. This is a special post about our experience at an all-you-can-eat gourmet buffet in Narbonne, France called Les Grands Buffets. We enjoy most buffet restaurants back home, but they are very rare in France. Even more rare is one that advertises as gourmet, upscale, elegant fine dining and with a dress code. So, of course we couldn’t resist and had to try it out.

Getting a reservation, finally

I read about this restaurant last year (thanks Angie), so I thought I’d reserve a table since it should be easy 8 months in advance… HA, mistake #1, you know what they say when you assume something. First, you register on their website for the access link to their reservation system. Then you select a date and either lunch or dinner. I put in every date we’d be in the area and nothing available. Unbelievable. after trying many dates, the first available table for two was 10 months out! I was crushed.

I then devised a plan to check reservations three times a day, just in case there was a cancellation. About a month, a hundred logins later, a single table opened up as I logged in. I immediately clicked reserve now. SUCCESS! I now have my email confirmation in hand and we’re all set for an adventure.

Les Grands Buffets

If you’ve never heard of this renowned restaurant, here are just a few facts. It’s the largest restaurant in France serving over 350,000 people per year. It includes the largest selection of cheese in a restaurant in the world, a collection of 111 cheeses crowned by the Guinness World Records. There are 70 wines on the menu at vineyard pricing, no mark up which is very surprising. What gourmet items are available? Lobster, Dungeness crab, oysters, shrimp, caviar, escargots, foie gras station, charcuterie station, pâte station, beef, lamb, pork carving stations, chef’s station for special orders, 50+ desserts, a gelato and ice cream parlor, a chocolate fountain, and approximately 300 total dishes to select.

They even had boiled crawfish. Who knew that was a gourmet delicacy in France? Danny tried them, but they weren’t seasoned like they are in Louisiana. Everything that is presented is surrounded by multiple themed dining rooms. The restaurant has gilded chandeliers, countless silver candlesticks, 17th-century tapestries, French antique silver, ornate serving pieces and porcelain. Yep, right up our alley.

We drove just over an hour from our apartment to arrive in plenty of time for our 12:15 reservation. The building itself is modern and located in a space with an ice skating rink, swimming pool, bowling alley, and pub. Not quite what I was expecting. However, after we entered the restaurant space we were stunned. It felt like you were transported back in time to an elegant chateau dining hall. At the entrance, there was an antique scale on display. Danny thought he’d weigh himself for a “before and after” testimonial on whether he ate his money’s worth. How rude!

Once greeted at reception, we met our server and wine steward. They presented us with a map of the various food stations and a list of the 40+ made to order specialties, in addition to what’s prepared on the buffet. We arrived at our table to discover a table reserved card written with my name. We ordered a bottle of champagne, and it arrived with a lit sparkler. Our server reminded us that the restaurant closes at 4:00 pm, so they can begin to prepare for the dinner seating. So, that gave us over 3 1/2 hours to eat lunch. I think that’ll work!

The dining rooms

Before we started serving ourselves, I couldn’t resist checking out the dining rooms and decor. Wow, is all I can say. I simply cannot describe the elegant setting and beautiful antiques on display. I wanted to go shopping, but I’m afraid they’d frown upon removing a souvenir or two. We sat in an Art Nouveau dining room with stained glass and beautiful carved wood paneled walls, but there was also a formal dining room, a room designed underneath an extravagant tent, and an outdoor garden, among others.

The buffet

Now that you’ve visited some of the dining rooms with me, let’s move on to the food. I’ve put together a video of some of the stations and choices available. I didn’t include everything as there was just way too many options. Now I won’t tell you how many times we went up to serve ourselves either, but we did feel better knowing we were getting our steps in to help burn those calories. I must admit I did get a bit stuck on the lobster, caviar and foie gras stations. Looking through the 111 different cheeses to choose from after the meal was overwhelming. I wanted a sample of each, but there’s just no way. Anyway, join me on the buffet line.

Up next, desserts

Once we had just about reached our limit, it was time for dessert. Well, my limit had already been reached, but Danny’s not so much. I don’t know where he puts it all. Maybe we should have skipped the cheese course, on second thought, what’s just one more final course? It’s dessert after all.

After sampling multiple desserts and finishing our meal with coffee, I wasn’t sure how we’d waddle out of here. I just checked the time and it’s 3:45 pm. So, it was a 3 1/2 hour lunch after all. I didn’t think we could last this long, although we did skip breakfast in preparation.

On our way out, Danny stopped once again to check the scale to see if they lost money on him and if he gained any weight. Look at that smile. That would be a yes. Maybe he’s smiling because the scale wasn’t working and it registered the same weight in kilos as he entered. I told him “don’t believe for a second you didn’t gain an ounce after this feast”.

Honestly, this is the best dining experience, service and food quality you can ever hope for with an all-you-can-eat buffet. It is beyond expectations, the staff were incredible, and everything was over the top extravagant. I don’t know how they can offer all of this for €52.90 per person ($59). But we’re so glad we came. We’ll definitely be back.

See you soon for chapter 10 — we’re in Montpellier, France next.